The Enslaved

Chapter 2

Dahlia, laying on her massive bed, wondered why sleep evaded her tonight. Her mind seemed to wander endlessly. She could only think of the war. What would happen to the kingdom, she wondered.

As if sending her restlessness, there dame three quiet knocks upon the door. Hesitant, Dahlia slowly walked to the door, her feet slapping on the cool wood floors. Looking at the old grandfather clock sitting in the corner of her room, she saw it was only four in the morning. Who could be knocking on the door at such an early hour?

Dahlia slowly opened the door, revealing the trusted knight of her family, Raphia. He pressed his finger to his lips, silently pushing his way into the room before shutting the door silently behind him.

"Princess," he whispered, "put a cloak and shoes on quickly. We must go to your fathers chambers immediately." Dahlia glanced up at him, sure he was joking. Yet his face was grave with concern and urgency.

Dahlia quickly slipped on her emerald cloak, her favorite, and her gold slippers. She wondered briefly is she should change her white nightgown, yet put that thought out of her mind as she glanced back at Raphia, who was pacing the floor impatiently.

As they walked to the kings chambers, they were flanked on all sides by guards. Dahlia began to become nervous. What could be going on to need this many guards? She wondered.

Finally reaching the Kings chambers, the guards quickly rushed Dahlia in. She was met by her mother, the fair and beautiful Flora. Flora'a violet eyes seemed to be apologetic already, causing Dahlia to become even more anxious

"Mother? What's going on?" Dahlia asked hesitantly, her heart beating hard as her mind raced.

"Let us wait for your father, darling," her mother responded, placing a slender hand upon Dahlia'a shoulder gently. Dahlia silently waited, in confusion and anxiety at what could be going on.

"There you are Dahlia!" A warm kind voice came from behind her. Dahlia spun around, greeted by her father standing before her.

King Oberion, for a faerie, was a giant of a man. His large rosy pink cheeks gave a youthful glow to his old face. His eyes crinkled when he grinned at his beloved daughter. His hair, a salt and pepper grey, was trimmed in a short military style. His round belly and y'all figure made Oberion tower over everyone he saw.

"Father," Dahlia said warmly, "what had happened to cause you to rouse me f on my chambers at such an early hour? The sun has yet to raise!" Oberion looked down, seemingly hesitant to speak. When he glanced up again, his earthy brown eyes shone brightly on he candlelight.

"Sweetheart, they are closing in," Oberion stayed simply his voice extremely gruff. Dahlias's throat seemed to close off, her breath escaping her. "A raven was sent to us." He said, passing a thick sheet of parchment to Dahlia. Only two sentences were written on the yellowing sheet.

      They march toward the castle. Leave now.